Use the HIN of the boat. However, you also need to report the donor ski as "destroyed or scrapped" to your state DNR, to avoid being sent registration or tax renewals/notices. If the engine has a serial number, and your DNR paperwork for the boat title has a space to list serial # for inboard engine, put it there when you fill out the form. It's likely they may still register your boat as having an outboard.....at least that's what they did with mine here in SC. Your results may vary.